Delaware Code Title 24. Professions and Occupations § 2123. Duty to report conduct that constitutes grounds for discipline or inability to practice

(a) Every optometrist to whom a license to practice has been issued under this chapter has a duty to report to the Division of Professional Regulation, in writing, information that the licensee reasonably believes indicates that any other optometrist licensed under this chapter or any other healthcare provider has engaged in or is engaging in conduct that would constitute grounds for disciplinary action under this chapter or the other healthcare provider's licensing statute.

(b) Every individual to whom a license to practice has been issued under this chapter has a duty to report to the Division of Professional Regulation, in writing, information that the licensee reasonably believes indicates that any other optometrist licensed under this chapter or any other healthcare provider may be unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety to the public by reason of:  mental illness or mental incompetence;  physical illness, including deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill;  or excessive use or abuse of drugs, including alcohol.

(c) Every individual to whom a license to practice has been issued under this chapter has a duty to report to the Division of Professional Regulation any information that the reporting individual reasonably believes indicates that an individual certified and registered to practice optometry in this State is or may be guilty of unprofessional conduct or may be unable to practice medicine with reasonable skill or safety to patients by reason of:  mental illness or mental incompetence;  physical illness, including deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill;  or excessive use or abuse of drugs, including alcohol.

(d) All reports required under this section must be filed within 30 days of becoming aware of such information.  An individual reporting or testifying in any proceeding as a result of making a report pursuant to this section is immune from claim, suit, liability, damages, or any other recourse, civil or criminal, if the individual acted in good faith and without gross or wanton negligence;  good faith being presumed until proven otherwise, and gross or wanton negligence required to be shown by the complainant.